Jack Ryan has only just moved back into the Oval Office when he is faced with a new international threat. An aborted coup in the People's Republic of China has left President Wei Zhen Lin with no choice but to agree with the expansionist policies of General Su Ke Quiang. They have declared the South China Sea a protectorate and are planning an invasion of Taiwan. The Ryan administration is determined to thwart China’s ambitions, but the stakes are dangerously high as a new breed of powerful Chinese anti-ship missiles endanger the US Navy's plans to protect the island.

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Publisher's Summary

Jack Ryan has only just moved back into the Oval Office when he is faced with a new international threat. An aborted coup in the People's Republic of China has left President Wei Zhen Lin with no choice but to agree with the expansionist policies of General Su Ke Quiang. They have declared the South China Sea a protectorate and are planning an invasion of Taiwan. The Ryan administration is determined to thwart China’s ambitions, but the stakes are dangerously high as a new breed of powerful Chinese anti-ship missiles endanger the US Navy's plans to protect the island.

Meanwhile, Chinese cyber-warfare experts have launched a devastating attack on American infrastructure. It's a new combat arena, but it’s every bit as deadly as any that has gone before. Jack Ryan, Jr., and his colleagues at the Campus may be just the wild card that his father needs to stack the deck. There's just one problem: someone knows about the off-the-books intelligence agency and threatens to blow their cover sky high.

This book is packed with suspense and action including sea, land and air battles. The major part of the book is based on cyber warfare. Even though this is fiction it should act as a warning of what could happen. Lou Diamond Phillips did a great job narrating this story. Jack Ryan Sr is back as President and Jack Jr is off chasing the cyber spy "center". His girlfriend is spying on him for the FBI. War heats up in the South China Sea as China tries to increase it's territory. Great air battles--felt like I was in the plane with the pilot. Clancy sure can write a good suspense military story. Looking forward to his next one.

This was the most intriguing Clancy novel in a long time. The very real threat of the Chinese, (see yesterday's headlines of Japan and China) and cyber warfare is as fascinating as it is threatening. No one researches better than Clancy and few know military operations and capabilities more than him.

Better still, the suspense in this novel is top rate, on the same level as his earlier novels. Lou Diamond Phillips is the perfect choice for this work. His characterizations are spot on.

In his recent works, Clancy has been criticized for his politics. This is not the case with this book at all.

Would you consider the audio edition of Threat Vector to be better than the print version?

Absolutely, Lou Diamond Philips is a masterful narrator, his performances never disappoint. The material within these pages is so action packed and the stakes are so high that listening to the story from someone with directed intention elevates the material to an amazing height.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is a silly question, Jack Jr. Is the perfect American hero. He is a perfect melding of Jack Ryan, Mitch Rap, and the Gray Man (Mark Greaney's breakout action character). He is a selfless hero that is willing to risk everything in order to protect his country and he doesn't leave men behind.

What about Lou Diamond Phillips’s performance did you like?

Everything, LDP is an amazing actor (See Southland for a recent role) and he is able to turn his skill into amazing narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is adrenaline pumping, I felt excited! I finished this book 12/5/12, 24hrs after it was released. I couldn't put it down!

Any additional comments?

If you are on the fence about this book, let me explain my tastes so that you can gauge if we share common literary tastes for this genre.

Ok, so those are some of my favorite action series that are in this similar espionage action genre. I found this book in particular to really mirror some of W. E. B. Griffin's early work melded with Flynn. That said, there is the signature Clancy storytelling in this book that jumps between several stories. I do not particularly enjoy the earlier Clancy novels that pertain to the elder Ryan, I found them amazingly slow and complicated with relatively low reward. This book mimics the same storytelling style but doesn't pull any punches when it comes to action.

I found myself wanting to spend more time with particular portions of the story and characters but the pacing was well thought out and I was never disappointed when prospective shifted. I have detected some of the Stephen Coont's syndrome, the seeming inability to set aside older characters and allow new ones to flourish but I think that Greaney's influence on this new series is helping breathe valuable life into the Clancy novels.

Jack Jr. is an amazing character, more lovable that Mitch Rapp and far more whole than Greaney's earlier two dimensional characters. This new younger Ryan is deposited brilliantly in a deep and rich fiction that creates a vivid backdrop.

I would strongly recommend that you start this cycle of the Jack Ryan Junior novels at their beginning, this story moves at a swift pace and you will love all of the returning characters so much more for your previous experiences with them!

On a side note, I want to tell you that I try to consume media that is character driven, not story driven! This particular genre has a tenancy to be heavily story driven but I think that this novel and series does a wonderful job of focusing on the characters! If you are looking for a quick action read this can satisfy you but it it is heavily enriched by knowledge of the characters. For example, if you aren't familiar with Tom Clancy's earlier "The Teeth of the Tiger" you might not have the richest or fullest appreciation for Haney and Associates and its remaining founders. Not a major issue but one that clearly supports a rich character development that honors faithful readers.

This is one of the good ones, they are few and far between and you should not hesitate to read this book immediately, or place it in your wishlist for your next credit!

Lou Diamond Phillips is getting better with each book he nararates. He does an excellent job with this one. It must have been quite difficult, especially with all the Chinese names and voices. He did it very well. The story was very believable and scary, because I think what Clancy portrays, is Very close to how this scenario would actually play out. It is not as complicated with multiple stories as most Clancy novels. If you like espionage and clancy novels, you will love this one.

Yes, this book is easily recommended for any of Clancy's fans. I have enjoyed the next chapter in the Jack Ryan and Jack Ryan Jr. books. I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone who doesn't know any of Clancy's previous book, but instead would recommend they start with either the book just before this or at least with "No Remorse" or "Rainbow Six" in order to know some of the back story.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way Clancy has taken some of the recent history of our nation and still been able to create a other universe in which his characters can blossom without running into issue of political or historical events. By creating a slightly altered universe allows Clancy to bring important events into the story without the story following along with history, ie readers already knowing the outcome of what has or will happen in the story because they know what has happened alreay in real life.

Have you listened to any of Lou Diamond Phillips’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Lou Diamond Phillips narratoring books. I have listened to several and I think he rocks as a narrator. I will pick up and listen to any book in a normally read genre of mine that he narrators because he brings so much to the story beyond the words being spoken.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Too many areas to remember - Clancy does a great job of putting in laughter in the middle of his suspense related story.

Went on vacation with my wife. We both like to listen to books, but have different tastes. She is a huge Clancy fan and I am ok with him. She has read all the Clancy books written, I have just read "Hunt For Red October". She said this was not Clancy's best, but she would give it four stars. I found it a little too long, sometimes boring, but very informative. we both agreed that an editor was needed.

Once a writer gets as famous as Clancy if he writes about pigs farting then an editor is scared to say anything and pigs farting gets published and probably becomes a best seller. In this book are some scenes that just go on and on and on. For instance there is a scene that involves a gun fight in a strip bar. It takes up about 2 hours of listening and four or five chapters. Some Clancy fans may love this, but I thought it went on too long.

As someone who easily gets confused by different characters, who they are and what they are doing in the story, I found I had none of that as a problem. Clancy builds his characters well enough that you know who they are even if you don't hear from them for hours or chapters. I enjoyed the China politics where my wife thought that was boring. I am more of a political junkie then she is. Some may think this story of computer hacking by different countries may not be realistic, while I believe it is happening as we speak. I seem to remember stories about it during the Clinton Presidency.

While I had no problem knowing who the different characters were, I did get a little confused on the whole story and all the in's and out's of all the back stabbing, spying, twist and turns, while my wife had no problem keeping up, even though she fell asleep during some of it. She was tired, and does not travel well.

I don't believe you must read any of the other books to follow this story, but my wife enjoyed knowing what certain characters did in previous books. Unless this is on sale, I would suggest you read them in order for a slightly more pleasurable experience.

There is a new war taking place China has decided to declare a cyber war on the USA. They are doing it by proxy using an unofficial off the books agency that officially does not exist. This agency uses computer exploits to infiltrate corporate and governmental agencies in combination with human assets that they have compromised and are black mailing into rendering aid.

Jack Ryan is once again in the oval office and is doing everything in his power to stop a full-fledged shooting war. But he has to deal with President Wei Zhen Lin who has lost control of his country to General Su Ke Quiang.

We also see Jack Ryan Jr. storyline progress and he is quickly gaining valuable in field abilities.

This book reminded me of Tom Clancy’s earlier work Net Force but I found the book enjoyable and Lou Diamond Phillips did a great job narrating.

Where does Threat Vector rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great story - Lousy Narration as he kept doing rapid LOUD breaths during his reading that were very annoying. It was like he was playing a musical instrument. Back away from the mic or take normal breaths or do editing after the fact or hit a cough button to remove it.

What did you like best about this story?

Typical Clancy Action

What didn’t you like about Lou Diamond Phillips’s performance?

He needs to learn how to breath and talk correctly. He has a really annoying way of taking fast quick LOUD breaths during the reading. This is the first Audible reader I have heard this from and it was so bad this is my first ever Audible Review.

I didn't enjoy this book, it was over Long and over complicated. Frankly, only finished it because I did not want to be defeated by it. I didn't find it an original plot in any way. The narration was also far too fast. I found myself rewinding constantly. I usually enjoy this author, but this didn't really excite me

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

BASINGSTOKE, United Kingdom

12/18/12

Overall

"Locked on part 2"

Yes! Tom Clancy has done it again! Narrator pulls of an excellent Chinese speaking accent which makes the story even more immersive. It's quite interesting that I had just finished Mark Russinovich's Trojan Horse which also points a finger to China and their cyber-tech. I guess it's no secret though.

A very exciting yarn with just the right balance of action to tech. I really want to see this and Locked on at the movies. It would be awesome.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

D. J. Steers

Tunbridge Wells, Kent . England

12/15/12

Overall

"Great book"

I really enjoyed this book. It's fast paced contains a few twists

Well worth listening too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Lorraine

Rugby, United Kingdom

12/7/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A great Tom Clancy!"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is very easy to listen to - so perfect for doing two things at once, in my case listening and crafting. If you have seen any of the Tom Clancy films with different actors playing Jack Ryan it is simply a case of picking your favourite 'Jack' and then imagining his son in action.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Threat Vector?

There is an action scene where a key character realises that there are more than two parties involved in an event and he is the only person who has oversight of the actions of the different groups and what is about to take place.

What about Lou Diamond Phillips’s performance did you like?

Good, clear narration - not too slow but well enunciated.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Jack's Back!

Any additional comments?

Have purchased several of the Tom Clancy books, all ready by Lou Diamond Phillips as preferred his narration from the samples, and was not disappointed.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mr

Warrington, United Kingdom

7/9/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent"

Would you consider the audio edition of Threat Vector to be better than the print version?

Not read the printed version, but then again why would I, when the audio is so good. Lou Diamond Philips does an excellent job.

What other book might you compare Threat Vector to, and why?

This is classic Tom Clancey, even if it was probably written by Mark Greaney. All the usual characters appear , Ryan, Clarke, Ding etc. along with some new additions. The storyline is fast paced and exciting. As you would expect from a Tom Clancey novel the technical data is spot on.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene when the American pilots go up against the Chinese is fantastic real edge of the seat stuff.

Any additional comments?

Overall I would recommend Vector Threat to any Tom Clancey fan.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Pétur

Reykjavik, Iceland

1/26/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great read"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Complex, intriguing and above all a very well researched book.

What did you like best about this story?

The complexity

What does Lou Diamond Phillips bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A great voice actor, capable of many diffrent voices and you know right away who he's acting.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me excited, very excited.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Gunnar

Portugal

12/30/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Typical Tom Clancy Story"

I sometimes get irritated by Tom Clancy's stories; the good guys are always good-looking, virtous and of impeccable caracter, the villains just the opposite. The Western World is normally saved at the last minute by the couragous heros and all is well.

But it sells and I have to admit that I normally turn the pages (or keep listening) as fast as anyone.

But it still leaves me unsatisfied at the end.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Angela

TAMWORTH, United Kingdom

12/7/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Brilliant story and left me feeling unnerved."

Brilliant book read with real clarity but it left me feeling weird as in oh my god that could actually happen. It wasn't a book I could listen to while doing other things as I had to concentrate on the plot. Well worth listening to.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

peter

Btistol, United Kingdom

7/4/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another fantastic book"

What made the experience of listening to Threat Vector the most enjoyable?

All the characters from previous books coming together again

Who was your favorite character and why?

Domingez is good but my favourite has got to be Jr

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yeap like all Tom Clancy books

Any additional comments?

Fantastic listen and would highly recommend the rest of tom Clancys books :)

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